Intoxicated Man Spits On Police Officer In Raritan: Blotter

RARITAN, NJ — An intoxicated man was arrested after police say spit an officer in Raritan.

On Jan. 17 at 1:12 p.m., Francisco Mendoza-Hernandez, 36, of Raritan, was charged with simple assault and throwing bodily fluids at a law enforcement officer.

Officers went to a home on Canal Street on a report of an intoxicated man in the residence, who was identified as Hernandez.

As officers spoke with Hernandez through an open window, the man tried to punch an officer, and the officer blocked the attempt, said police.

The man was removed from the home through the window and placed under arrest.

As Hernandez was being placed in a patrol vehicle, he spit on an officer, said police.

Hernandez was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Other Raritan Police Blotter items:

On Jan. 4 at 1:14 p.m.: Jesse Panyko, 41, of Manville, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest at Domino’s Pizza on Route 206. Officers were initially dispatched to Domino’s for a maN acting aggressively towards customers and staff at the business. As officers tried to place Panyko under arrest, he resisted and after a brief struggle was handcuffed. One officer was treated for a laceration to his hand which occurred during the incident. Panyko was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

On Jan. 9: An arrest warrant was issued for Robert Hayward, 43, of Hoboken, for package theft. It was determined that earlier in the day, Hayward had taken several packages from an apartment complex on Second Ave.

On Jan. 13: Donna Carreker, 56, of Branchburg, was charged with shoplifting after stealing less than $200 of goods from the Dollar Tree on two separate occasions in November. A court appearance is pending.

On Jan. 18 at 1:33 a.m.: Alberto Gomez-Melgarejo, 53, of Raritan, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop on Sherman Avenue. Melgarejo was also charged with failing to use a turn signal, driving without his headlights activated, careless driving, and reckless driving. A court appearance is pending.

On Jan. 19 at 9:04 p.m.: Abdellah Snaike, 24, of Raritan, was charged with creating a false public alarm. Initially, Snaike was trying to buy beer at a local bar and dialed 911 because the bar does not sell beer to go. Officers responded to the complaint and told Snaike of the proper use of 911. Around 40 minutes later, Snaike dialed 911 again and it was again determined he wanted to buy beer. Snaike was arrested and released pending a court appearance.

On Jan. 19 at 2:02 a.m.: Esteban Rodriguez-Falcon, 53, of Watchung, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop on the Somerville Traffic Circle. Falcon was also charged with failing to observe a stop sign, delaying traffic, maintenance of lamps, careless driving, reckless driving, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. A court appearance is pending.

On Jan. 20: Clara Arce-Ortega, 25, of Bridgewater, was charged with hindering prosecution after falsely reporting items had been stolen from her at the Quick Chek on West Somerset Street on Oct. 13, 2024. A court appearance is pending.

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